Growing up, I thought the coolest job in the world, aside from being a professional athlete, was being a Sports Center anchor. And I couldn’t have been the only one to think this because ESPN created a reality show whose purpose was to a find a new anchor, and they named it Dream Job.
Who wouldn’t want to be paid to watch sports highlights and create funny catchphrases?
Years ago, I remember seeing a piece about what differentiated a good Sports Center anchor from a bad one. The piece interviewed Stuart Scott and I recall him saying something along the lines that the ability to write is was separated the great anchors from the averages ones. Scott stated that in order to survive in his profession you need to write, write and then write some more. He expressed that practicing your writing was the only way to get better.
I remember thinking, “yeah right, why do you have to constantly write to be able to spout out the word ‘Booyah’ after Barry Bonds hits a home run.” I was skeptical and figured I knew better. I was going to be a great writer without the need of practice.
All these years later I can admit that I was wrong. And I recognize that my ignorance set me back years as a writer.
When I do speakings about my book at schools, teachers will often ask if I have any advice for students who want to be writers. To answer this, I always talk about how I never knew what book I wanted to write, but I had this vision in my mind that one day I would be hit with a bolt of genius lightning and immediately sit down and write the perfect book. I follow that up by saying that I am still waiting on that lightning bolt. I then give the same advice I ignored from Stuart Scott, all those years ago. I tell the students that the only way to become a better writer is to write, write and then write some more.
I chose to ignore Stuart Scott’s words years ago, but I will not make that mistake again.
Scott died from cancer yesterday, but before he did, he gave the world some much needed advice. In July, Scott won the Jimmy V award at the ESPYs. During his speech he spoke about his fight with cancer. He said:
When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live. So live. Live.”
If I would have listened to Stuart Scott years ago, I would be a much better writer. If we all listen to Stuart Scott today, we will all live better lives.
Thank you Stuart.
